What to Do in the Garden in October | UK Gardening Jobs
Discover what to do in your garden in October, including autumn planting, lawn care, spring bulbs, fruit and vegetables, frost protection, weather advice and plants to enjoy.
What to do in my garden in October
October is one of the most atmospheric months in the UK garden. Trees and shrubs begin to develop rich autumn colour, berries become more prominent, ornamental grasses catch the lower light and fallen leaves start to gather across lawns, paths and borders.
It is also one of the most useful gardening months of the year.
The soil is still relatively warm, rainfall is usually increasing and many plants are entering dormancy, making October an excellent time for planting trees, shrubs, hedging, perennials and spring-flowering bulbs.
The garden is also beginning to slow down. Lawns need less frequent mowing, herbaceous plants start to collapse and tender plants may require protection from the first significant frosts.
The key in October is not to clear everything away too quickly. Seed heads, grasses, berries and fading foliage can all provide valuable structure and wildlife habitat through autumn and winter.
Instead, focus on what genuinely needs attention: planting, clearing slippery leaves, checking drainage, protecting vulnerable plants and preparing the garden for colder weather.
Top 10 tips
1. Plant trees, shrubs and hedging
October is an excellent planting month.
Cooler temperatures and moist soil help new plants establish roots before winter.
2. Plant spring-flowering bulbs
Continue planting bulbs such as daffodils, Crocus and Alliums.
Tulips are often planted slightly later in autumn.
3. Clear fallen leaves from lawns and paths
Leaves left on lawns can block light and damage grass.
Wet leaves on paving can also become slippery.
4. Protect tender plants
Move vulnerable container plants into sheltered conditions and have fleece or other suitable protection available for cold nights.
5. Divide suitable herbaceous perennials
Many established perennials can still be divided while the soil remains workable.
6. Keep lawns tidy
Continue mowing while grass is growing, gradually raising the cutting height.
7. Check drainage
Clear channel drains, gullies, gutters and outlets before autumn rainfall intensifies.
8. Harvest remaining crops
Apples, pears, pumpkins, squashes and late vegetables may still need harvesting.
9. Clean and inspect garden structures
Check fences, gates, pergolas and garden buildings before winter storms.
10. Leave useful seed heads standing
Do not automatically cut down every perennial.
Many seed heads provide winter interest and support wildlife.
Herbaceous Perennials
October is when the herbaceous border begins to change dramatically.
Some plants may still be flowering, while others will start collapsing after colder nights.
Continue deadheading plants that are still producing worthwhile flowers.
These may include:
Dahlias
Salvias
Penstemons
Japanese anemones
Asters
Rudbeckias
Heleniums
Once frost arrives, tender plants such as Dahlias may be damaged.
Depending upon local conditions and how they are grown, Dahlia tubers may be lifted and stored somewhere frost-free, or heavily mulched and left in the ground where conditions are suitable.
Do not feel obliged to cut every perennial down.
Plants such as:
Echinacea
Rudbeckia
Phlomis
Hylotelephium
Eryngium
Ornamental grasses
can provide valuable structure through winter.
Their seed heads may also support birds and insects.
Cut back plants that have collapsed into paths, become diseased or look particularly untidy.
October can also be a good time to divide suitable perennials.
Replant healthy sections and water thoroughly.
Mulch borders after weeding and planting where appropriate.
Trees and Shrubs
October is one of the best months for planting trees and shrubs.
The soil usually remains warm enough for root development, while cooler temperatures reduce water loss through foliage.
Container-grown trees and shrubs can be planted throughout the month where conditions are suitable.
Root-balled and bare-root planting also begins as deciduous plants enter dormancy.
When planting trees, pay attention to:
Planting depth
Root flare position
Soil conditions
Drainage
Staking
Tree ties
Mulching
Watering
Avoid planting too deeply.
Recently planted trees should still be watered thoroughly, particularly if autumn is dry.
Check existing stakes and ties before winter storms.
Adjust anything that is rubbing against stems.
Avoid unnecessary heavy pruning simply because leaves are falling.
Different species require different pruning times.
October is also an excellent month for assessing autumn colour and berry-producing trees when choosing future planting.
Lawn growth generally begins slowing during October.
Continue mowing while necessary, but raise the cutting height and reduce frequency.
Avoid mowing when grass is:
Waterlogged
Frozen
Extremely wet
Remove fallen leaves regularly.
A thick layer of leaves can deprive grass of light and encourage disease.
October may still provide opportunities for autumn lawn renovation if temperatures remain mild.
Possible jobs include:
Aeration
Scarification
Overseeding
Repairing bare patches
Autumn feeding
Improving drainage
However, do not undertake aggressive renovation if conditions have become too cold or excessively wet for recovery.
Aeration can be particularly useful on compacted lawns.
Check areas that become waterlogged and consider whether long-term drainage or soil improvement may be required.
Keep lawn edges tidy as growth slows.
October is an important month for harvesting and storing tree fruit.
Late varieties of apples and pears may now be ready.
Pick carefully, especially if fruit will be stored.
Healthy fruit intended for storage should be free from bruising, disease and major damage.
Store in cool, ventilated conditions and inspect regularly.
Remove fallen fruit from beneath trees.
Late raspberries and blackberries may continue cropping in mild conditions.
October is also an excellent time to begin planning new fruit planting.
Bare-root fruit trees and bushes become increasingly available during the dormant season.
Prepare planting positions in advance.
Check tree stakes and supports before winter.
Remove damaged fruit and diseased material from around trees where appropriate.
Avoid winter pruning stone fruits such as:
Cherries
Plums
Gages
Damsons
These are generally pruned during active growth to reduce disease risk.
October is both a harvesting and preparation month in the vegetable garden.
Crops that may still be ready include:
Pumpkins
Squashes
Carrots
Beetroot
Leeks
Chard
Kale
Cabbages
Potatoes
Late salads
Harvest pumpkins and squashes before significant frost.
Allow skins to mature properly if they are intended for storage.
Maincrop potatoes should generally be lifted and stored somewhere cool, dark and frost-free.
Clear finished crops from beds.
Healthy plant material can be composted, but diseased material should be handled appropriately.
Empty beds can be:
Weed-cleared
Mulched
Covered
Sown with green manure
Prepared for winter crops
Garlic can often be planted during autumn.
Some broad beans and hardy peas can also be autumn sown depending upon variety and local conditions.
Protect winter crops from pigeons and other pests where necessary.
Many hardy herbs remain productive in October.
Continue harvesting:
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
Parsley
Chives
Mint
Tender herbs such as basil will usually deteriorate as temperatures fall.
Bring suitable container-grown herbs under protection before frost if you want to extend their season.
Remove dead or diseased foliage from perennial herbs.
Avoid cutting woody Mediterranean herbs too hard at this time of year.
Good drainage becomes increasingly important as rainfall increases.
Herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage can suffer in persistently waterlogged soil.
Container-grown herbs may require less frequent watering than during summer, so adjust according to conditions.
Move vulnerable pots away from exposed positions if necessary.
October is an important maintenance month for ponds and water features.
Falling leaves can quickly accumulate.
Remove leaves before they sink and decompose.
This helps reduce nutrient build-up and water quality problems.
Check:
Pumps
Filters
Pipework
Reservoirs
Rills
Fountains
Grilles
Lighting
Clean filters where required.
Reduce or adjust pump operation where appropriate for the individual system.
Do not automatically switch off every pond pump because requirements vary depending upon pond design, filtration and livestock.
Trim excessive dead aquatic foliage.
Remove tender aquatic plants that require frost-free storage.
A pond net may be useful beneath heavily shedding trees, but it must be installed safely and checked regularly to avoid trapping wildlife.
Water features with exposed pipework should also be assessed for frost vulnerability before winter.
October is an important month for keeping hard surfaces safe.
Fallen leaves, moisture and algae can create slippery conditions.
Regularly sweep:
Paths
Patios
Steps
Decking
Driveways
Inspect:
Porcelain paving
Natural stone
Paving joints
Steps
Garden walls
Retaining walls
Drainage channels
Manhole covers
Raised beds
Clear channel drains and gullies.
Check downpipes and outlets.
October rainfall can expose drainage weaknesses that were not noticeable during summer.
Investigate persistent standing water.
Trim vegetation that has overgrown pathways.
Check external steps carefully as low autumn light and wet surfaces can make level changes less obvious.
Avoid allowing large quantities of wet leaves to remain on paving because staining and algae growth may develop.
Prepare garden structures for stronger autumn and winter weather.
Inspect:
Fences
Gates
Pergolas
Trellis
Screens
Gazebos
Garden buildings
Arches
Raised beds
Repair loose fence panels and posts before storms.
Check gate hinges and latches.
Remove or secure loose items around the garden.
Climbing plants may need tying in or pruning according to species.
Heavy wet foliage can place considerable strain on trellis and pergolas.
Clean gutters on sheds and garden buildings.
Inspect roofs, flashing and drainage.
Move vulnerable garden furniture into storage where appropriate.
Clean and cover furniture designed to remain outside according to manufacturer guidance.
Check outdoor electrical installations and garden lighting before darker evenings make them more important.
House plants begin responding to lower light levels during October.
Growth slows for many species.
Reduce watering gradually where appropriate.
One of the most common autumn problems is continuing to water plants as though it were still midsummer.
Allow compost moisture to guide watering frequency.
Reduce feeding for plants entering a slower growth period.
Move plants closer to natural light where necessary, but avoid cold draughts.
Check for pests before bringing in any plants that spent summer outdoors.
Look for:
Aphids
Mealybugs
Scale insects
Spider mites
Slugs
Snails
Clean foliage and remove dead leaves.
Avoid positioning tropical plants directly above radiators or against cold window glass.
Humidity can drop once central heating is used, so monitor plants that prefer more humid conditions.
October can bring mild sunny days, heavy rain, strong winds and the first widespread frosts.
Frost
The risk of frost increases considerably.
Protect tender plants and move vulnerable containers into sheltered positions.
Heavy Rain
Keep drainage systems clear.
Avoid repeatedly walking on saturated lawns and borders.
Strong Winds
Autumn storms can damage trees and structures.
Check stakes, ties, fences and pergolas after severe weather.
Falling Temperatures
Growth slows as soil and air temperatures fall.
Adjust watering and feeding accordingly.
Mild Spells
Warm October weather can extend flowering considerably.
Do not clear summer planting prematurely if it is still performing well.
Plants to enjoy in October
Border and rock garden
Aster / Symphyotrichum
Michaelmas daisies continue producing masses of blue, purple, pink and white flowers.
Hylotelephium
Large flower heads deepen into rich pink, red and bronze tones.
Their seed heads remain attractive later.
Japanese Anemone
Some varieties continue flowering well into autumn.
Rudbeckia
Late Rudbeckias may continue bringing rich yellow colour to borders.
Persicaria
Long-lasting flower spikes continue performing during mild autumn conditions.
Salvia
Many Salvias continue until significant frost.
Cyclamen hederifolium
Autumn-flowering Cyclamen produce delicate pink or white flowers, often before or alongside their patterned foliage.
Colchicum
Autumn crocus-like flowers appear in shades of pink, lilac and white.
Nerine
Nerines can provide striking pink flowers in sunny, well-drained positions.
Ornamental Grasses
Miscanthus, Molinia, Pennisetum and other grasses become particularly valuable in low autumn light.
Trees and shrubs with foliage of interest
Acer palmatum
Japanese maples can develop exceptional red, orange and yellow autumn colour.
Acer griseum
Paperbark maple combines attractive peeling bark with warm autumn foliage.
Liquidambar styraciflua
Sweet gum can produce intense combinations of red, orange, purple and yellow.
Parrotia persica
Persian ironwood can develop a superb mixture of yellow, orange, red and purple.
Cornus
Many deciduous Cornus species develop strong autumn foliage before their coloured winter stems become prominent.
Cotinus coggygria
Smoke bushes can develop rich red, orange and purple tones.
Euonymus alatus
Burning bush is renowned for intense red autumn foliage.
Fothergilla
Fothergilla can produce excellent combinations of yellow, orange and red.
Trees with colourful fruit
Malus – Crab Apples
Crab apples can be at their colourful peak in shades of red, orange and yellow.
Sorbus – Rowan
Rowans can carry heavy clusters of red, orange, yellow, pink or white berries.
Crataegus – Hawthorn
Red haws remain prominent and are valuable to wildlife.
Pyracantha
Dense clusters of red, orange or yellow berries create dramatic displays.
Cotoneaster
Numerous species carry abundant red or orange fruits.
Ilex aquifolium – Holly
Holly berries become increasingly colourful as winter approaches.
Greenhouse plants in flower
October greenhouse conditions depend heavily on temperature and whether heating is provided.
Pelargoniums
Plants kept protected may continue flowering.
Fuchsias
Late flowers can continue where conditions remain mild.
Begonias
Some Begonias continue producing colour under glass.
Streptocarpus
Streptocarpus may continue flowering in bright protected conditions.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen become increasingly valuable as autumn progresses.
Orchids
Numerous orchid species and hybrids can provide autumn flowers.
Chrysanthemums
Protected Chrysanthemums can give excellent late-season colour.
Preparing the Garden for Winter
October is when winter preparation begins in earnest, but it should be selective rather than destructive.
Do not strip the garden bare.
Seed heads, berries, evergreen foliage and ornamental grasses provide structure, shelter and food for wildlife.
Instead, concentrate on practical risks.
Clear slippery leaves from paths, keep drainage systems open, secure structures and protect vulnerable plants.
Make use of the autumn planting season too.
Trees and shrubs planted now can begin establishing roots long before next summer places them under greater water stress.
October is also one of the best months to look at the garden structurally.
As herbaceous planting fades, the underlying framework becomes increasingly visible.
If the garden looks empty as summer colour disappears, consider whether it needs more evergreen plants, coloured stems, attractive bark, grasses or berry-producing shrubs.
A good October garden is not simply being closed down for winter.
It is being prepared to remain interesting throughout the colder months while simultaneously laying the foundations for next spring.